back blogging - this workout brought to you by

Since I'm spending so much time at the gym these days, I started taking a picture each week of me on the elliptical. It's the incredible shrinking me series :) I have to admit, I like the glow of hard earned sweat :)

back blogging - walking and reading

Oh my god, this makes me happy. E so into his book that he's walking while reading. I love you!

little crush

Love these pictures of Evan pitching to his grandpa at Cape Kiwanda.

back blogging - movie night

In a rush to get all of our annual summer traditions in, we held our outdoor movie night, filled with popcorn, juice, and MOSQUITOES! What tha? Our usual bug free summer in pdx was interrupted this year with real mosquitoes. With nothing natural prepared, we doused in cancer-causing spray from the camping box and just suffered through it. Next year I won't forget the citronella!

new camera lense for Labor Day at the beach

I am in love with the Hipstamatic app on my phone. I love how these pictures of our recent trip to Pacific City turned out. This lense captures the beach perfectly!

Our rental house had an outdoor shower. Does anything beat that? Loved it!

back blogging - always swimming

The kids did their annual two week haul of summer swim lessons. En' a true fish who could swim all day. Ems refuses to go under water. She's great a sticking her chin in, even her eyes sometimes, but all the way? No, no! We're heading back to lessons in October so hopefully she'll have her underwater break through this fall.

piano

Evan started piano lessons in August. While he grumbles about practice, he loves his lessons with Ms. Suzanne. She teachers from her home - which is a perfect little pdx bungalow. I wish I could snuggle into her living room during lessons but parents are not allowed. pooh. But what a treat to hear him play songs and get better each week.

neighbor and friend

Ems and her sweet friend Margaret are finally old enough to appreciate each other not just as the little sisters on the street but as real friends. They play so nicely together, running from one activity and one outfit to another. Love these girls.

back blogging - basketball bro

2011 was the summer of b-ball in our house. E is a great player - totally the big man in the middle already. he went to two basketball camps, and while one of the youngest there, his height kept him up with the older boys. I realized that if we keep sending him to camps, we'll never have to buy shirts or balls again - each one outfits him.

back blogging - sweet cousins

One of the highlights of our summer was the visit from the Warnicks to America! We counted down the days until Sara, Justin, Addie, and Bella were going to visit. It's so special to have far-flung cousins who jet set the third world :) I think Ems would devour Addie with love, if she could. Bella is such a trouper to put up with following the big girls around. Ems was thinking she could boss her around a bit, but Bella is her own lady. We love the Warnicks so much and can't wait to meet the next little lady baby about to join the family!

Beach bums

Action! On the third day of our beach trip, the guys rented wet suits and hit the waves. The Pacific Ocean off the Oregon coast is freezing! You have to have a wet suit to last more than a couple of minutes. The boys were out in the waves for well over an hour.

Hey, it's me! I couldn't resist sucking myself into a wet suit to hit the waves as well. The water was so beautiful and powerful. I loved being out there! At one point a gull dove into the water about 15 feet from me and came out witha huge crab! Exciting!

beach vacation happiness

We ran away to the beach for our mid-summer get away. We spent lots of time playing in the sand, reading books, watching movies, and goofing around. Here are some highlights.

yeah 4th of July!

a few more birthday pictures

A girl and her cake.

Ems and her friend.

These boys are supposed to be in charge of the games.

The love of Emme's life - Lucas.

party girl

I have a million more pictures from Em's birthday party to post but I'll start here. What a little mugsie!

E's first diorama

E had the first diorama assignment of his elementary school career. The theme was rainforests, and he chose the Harpy eagle. I don't know who enjoyed it more - me or E. Here are some shots.